Program evaluates abilities of aging drivers

Sometimes it can be difficult, said Casey Billingsley, who evaluates injured and aging drivers.

As a person ages, eyesight, medications, depth perception and reaction time can all cause problems for drivers.

"Most people are pretty good self monitors," Billingsley said. "They don't drive at night or only drive on routes they know if they feel uncomfortable."

"Wheels to Independence" is a program offered at Northwest Texas Hospital that evaluates an individual's ability to drive safely and/or determine the need for adaptive equipment in the car, said Sue Church, Texas Cooperative Extension agent in Potter County.

The first step to getting an evaluation is stopping by the physician's office. He or she can give the patient a referral to have an official evaluation done by Billingsley.

The program also conducts training with the adaptive equipment.

Adaptive equipment such as hand controllers can help improve things such as reaction time.

Billingsley takes the people out in her car to evaluate their driving abilities after testing their cognitive abilities, eyesight and other factors in the office.

After the two-part exam, Billingsley and the person's physician evaluate anything they can do to improve driving, as well as whether the person should be driving at all.

"The doctor and I talk, and we decide whether or not to recommend if the person should be driving or not," Billingsley said. "We cannot legally take a person's driver's license away. We can only make a recommendation."

If the case calls for taking the keys away, Billingsley said to make sure and present positive things as well.

"The biggest thing is to have alternate forms of transportation available," Billingsley said. "Whether it is the city transit system or other family members, they need to make sure to have an alternative for them to get around."

Warning Signs

Feeling overwhelmed by all of the signs, signals, road markings, pedestrians and vehicles that you must pay attention to at intersections

Gaps in traffic are harder to judge

Taking medications that make you sleepy

Getting lost or becoming disoriented

Experiencing dizziness, seizures or loss of consciousness

Slow to see cars coming out of driveways and side streets or to realize that another car has slowed or stopped ahead of you

Getting easily frustrated or confused

Drifting across lane markings into other lanes

Needing help or instructions from other passengers

Inappropriate driving speeds

What can you do?

Plan your route.

Drive during the day and avoid rush hour.

Keep a save distance between you and the car ahead.

When approaching intersections, remind yourself to look to the sides of the roads as well as directly ahead.

Try to make left turns at intersections where green arrow signals provide protected turns.

Scan far down the road continuously so you can anticipate future problems and plan your actions.

Always wear safety belts.

Avoid driving in the rain.

Drive during daylight hours only and try to avoid traveling in the direction of the sun as it rises or sets.